Poets & Writers Speakeasy: Writing and Publishing: MFA Programs: The Waiting Game...Have you heard yet???: Page 247

Subscribe | Give a Gift Subscription

Advanced Search

Main Index » Writing and Publishing » MFA Programs
The Waiting Game...Have you heard yet???

You are not signed in. Click here to sign in.
If you are not a member, Register here!

124127 registered users

1 ... 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251

View All

blue_skies

Nov 24, 2010, 12:55 AM

Post #6151 of 6267 (7288 views)
Shortcut

Re: [PhillProvance] First post, question. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Phil, I didn't see your post as self-centered, because you are very qualified. There is no reason you shouldn't get into UMass, but you might not. With your qualifications, you could probably get into many stellar MFA programs, but if you put all of your eggs in one basket, then you're asking for rejection. That said, I did the same thing, and I got into my program of choice. Still, my program is not top-tier (it should be), although it is one of Huffington Post's 25 underrated programs (insert plug here).

PhillProvance

Nov 24, 2010, 1:15 AM

Post #6152 of 6267 (7286 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ksundber] First post, question. [In reply to]	Can't Post

K,

Thank you so much for the vote of confidence. And thank you for recognizing that I am just a little nervous right now. It's true, maybe I'm asking for trouble not playing the numbers. Maybe if I don't get in it's a sign that Profs. Tate and Wier think I'm better suited for someplace else, and I will look harder next year to see if there are things in other programs I didn't see before. Or maybe they will be like, "Hey, this kid's on the ball. Not perfect yet, but we can see to that.";-)

Anyhow, where did you go? What's it like? Is it primarily a workshop environment or is there a lecture aspect too? Is it helping? Did you get solid funding, or? With so many things to consider about the schools it's an aneurysm and a half trying to figure it all out. Life is such a barrage of stress. I'm sure everyone here would agree when I say that all any of us wanted to be was quiet, little animals. It's sad the world won't let us be like that, don't you think?

Pedro Eler

Nov 24, 2010, 9:15 AM

Post #6153 of 6267 (7266 views)
Shortcut

Re: [PhillProvance] First post, question. [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I second that. And wow! From Brazil. I do hope you get in. I hope we both do. That would be super cool to meet you I think. Just be like, "Hey, didn't we talk on that board last year?"

Also I'm curious about your pursuing an MFA stateside: Do you write in Portuguese or English primarily? Seems you've got the American colloquial down. Damnedest thing with the U.S. education system: I took nearly a decade of German classes and never had that handle on it. Oh, well, stupid Americans I guess. That's what my parents get for sending me to public school.:-P

It would be awesome to meet some people from the MFA Forum!

I write primarily in English... it was really really tough to get the hang of it, and I still feel like I have a lot to learn - which is why an MFA would be a perfect next step for me - I actually have been studying English for over ten years now, and I read in english ALL the time plus I watch TV in English quite a lot also. But I didnt get this from school, I had to enter an english course and I just took the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, so dont blame your parents... schools never teach anyone a second language properly LOL LOL

UMass seems to be a great place with an awesome program, and it seems to me you have a very very good chance! So good luck and hopefully we might meet next year - me in Cornell, though, because that is my dream school... LOL

blue_skies

Nov 24, 2010, 3:48 PM

Post #6154 of 6267 (7244 views)
Shortcut

Re: [PhillProvance] First post, question. [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm getting my MFA in nonfiction at West Virginia University. Our funding situation is really good. The stipend is almost $14,000 with an extra $1,000 the first year. That includes a full tuition remission along with healthcare. I also won a scholarship this year for being the top first-year graduate student, and we have the option to teach creative writing workshops in the dorms once a month for a little extra money as well.

Our program definitely has an academic component. I'm required to take literature classes in addition to workshop, but I feel more qualified for an academic career as a result. My husband did his MFA at Boise State University, and he loved it. BSU has more of a studio program than WVU, and they fund all of their applicants as well.

Obviously, I'm biased, but I think there are a lot of great MFA programs outside of the top 20.

umass76

Nov 24, 2010, 7:28 PM

Post #6155 of 6267 (7214 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ksundber] First post, question. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi KS,

Further evidence that the national MFA rankings have some real validity: both West Virginia University and Boise State University are listed on The Huffington Post Top 25 Underrated MFA Programs (a list based in large part on recent movement in the Poets & Writers full-residency rankings, as well as funding data archived at The Suburban Ecstasies), and West Virginia University is prospectively #45 in the 2012 MFA rankings. Boise State University is (for 2012) at #69 and rapidly climbing (up from #73 last year).

Be well,
Seth

OldScribe2000

Nov 25, 2010, 9:35 PM

Post #6156 of 6267 (7169 views)
Shortcut

Re: [PhillProvance] First post, question. [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think the only way to learn a language is complete immersion at a conversational speed.

CD's, DVD's and textbooks can only get you so far.

PhillProvance

Nov 26, 2010, 2:05 PM

Post #6157 of 6267 (7141 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ksundber] First post, question. [In reply to]	Can't Post

K,

I heard from one of my recommending professors that UWV is an up-and-comer. And mind you, UMass has slipped in ranking a bit recently. If I might ask, did your husband go on to do a Ph.D. in lit.? Or did he do it beforehand? Did he manage to get a line at WVU? When my professor mentioned it, I (maybe unwisely) dismissed it out of hand, thinking of course that it would be hard to pick up a steady teaching spot if I didn't go to one of the top 10. Of course, I haven't researched many places outside the top 20, so I'm not quite sure who's getting what after going where.

(This post was edited by PhillProvance on Nov 26, 2010, 2:07 PM)

blue_skies

Nov 26, 2010, 5:41 PM

Post #6158 of 6267 (7124 views)
Shortcut

Re: [PhillProvance] First post, question. [In reply to]	Can't Post

My husband received a full-time job as a Humanities Lecturer here. He enjoys it, and the benefits are good, but it's not a creative writing position. Two of his classmates have book deals now--one with Graywolf and the other with St. Martins. One of them is a lecturer, and the other is an associate professor. Another friend from BSU was a Gilman Fellow a couple of years ago, but she still had difficulty finding academic jobs after that, and I believe she teaches at a private high school now. Still other classmates are adjuncting, which is obviously the worst-case scenario.

I'll be honest. I think the CW teaching jobs are difficult to find--no matter what school you finish from. I've known people from top 10 schools who still haven't been able to get jobs. Most recently, a Michener Center graduate who went on to get a MA in TESOL, and a poet from Iowa who decided to get a PhD in Lit. Still, if you stick with it, I think there are jobs to be found for MFA graduates of all programs--with the right publications, of course. But yes, your chances of getting a job are probably better from a top 10 school. Maybe Seth Abramson knows something about that. I'm not sure if I've seen him comment on that subject.

PhillProvance

Nov 26, 2010, 5:58 PM

Post #6159 of 6267 (7121 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ksundber] First post, question. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, it is a very important consideration. After all, I can write plenty of manuscripts, but would love to have the kind of time it takes to write a lasting piece of some kind. Maybe that's pie-in-the-sky, and I know professors don't get much free time when school's in. But since I'd have to publish anyhow in the summer....

But, so, Tarpaulin Sky recently posted this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obTNwPJvOI8
Its levity brought me down-to-earth, so I figured I'd share it to help soothe others' nerves.

karinr
Karin Rosman

Dec 20, 2010, 1:48 PM

Post #6160 of 6267 (6767 views)
Shortcut

I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just got my official offer from PLU's MFA program. I had a phone call earlier, but didn't want to say anything until the paperwork was in front of me. They were my first choice and had an early acceptance application. I'm excited and excited.

kbritten

Dec 20, 2010, 3:43 PM

Post #6161 of 6267 (6747 views)
Shortcut

Re: [karinr] I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats Karin! Umm, don't hate for asking, but what's PLU? I'm assuming it's low-rez. Congrats, nonetheless. I'm just curious ;)

karinr
Karin Rosman

Dec 20, 2010, 5:14 PM

Post #6162 of 6267 (6730 views)
Shortcut

Re: [kbritten] I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

It is a low residency program. Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. I noticed it first last year, when I googled someone who had been helpful to my writing in the past. He teaches there, as well as a few other writers I recognized. I called him, talked to him at length about the program, and about my concerns about low residency, mostly that I may not get the practical experience I would if I went to a traditional program. He addressed my concerns, and also my concerns about the program being associated with a religious organization, which it is on paper, but not in philosophy. I also talked to the program director, who I liked quit a bit. I haven't heard a bad thing about the program, and my experience with recommended but off the radar workshops has me convinced that they're a great fit.

libbyagain

Dec 20, 2010, 6:10 PM

Post #6163 of 6267 (6725 views)
Shortcut

Re: [karinr] I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Karin, that's great! Congratulations!!

maybemd

Dec 20, 2010, 10:24 PM

Post #6164 of 6267 (6704 views)
Shortcut

Re: [karinr] I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats Karin! When do you start?

Drop by on occasion and let us know how it's coming along.

karinr
Karin Rosman

Dec 21, 2010, 12:36 PM

Post #6165 of 6267 (6666 views)
Shortcut

Re: [maybemd] I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

They don't have a calendar up yet, but I suspect around August 6 through the 17. Maybe I'm nuts, but I want to get a draft of my novel finished before I start. That way, if I work more on short stories, I'll have something to come back to. What's frightening now is tracking down my MMR immunizations.

jamilinzi

Dec 23, 2010, 4:49 PM

Post #6166 of 6267 (6577 views)
Shortcut

Re: [karinr] I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow, Karin, congratulations! I'm so jealous you don't have to wait around for at least six weeks like the rest of us!

karinr
Karin Rosman

Dec 23, 2010, 5:49 PM

Post #6167 of 6267 (6569 views)
Shortcut

Re: [jamilinzi] I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Last year I applied to one school and didn't hear until April. Or was it May? This year I heard back right away. It's pretty cool. Now I get to stress about money.

Papercuts

Dec 29, 2010, 8:54 PM

Post #6168 of 6267 (6417 views)
Shortcut

McNeese [In reply to]	Can't Post

Does anyone know if McNeese sends a confirmation that they received your manuscript? I sent mine via email on December 13 and, since their process at this point is informal (no grad school application or letters of recommendation are involved), I'm not sure if I should expect anything. I'm nervous that the email ended up in the fiction director's spam folder (or didn't arrive at all), but I also realize that I'm probably just being paranoid...

(This post was edited by Papercuts on Dec 29, 2010, 8:56 PM)

kbritten

Dec 30, 2010, 10:42 AM

Post #6169 of 6267 (6372 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Papercuts] McNeese [In reply to]	Can't Post

I applied to McNeese last year and I think I got a reply on the email confirming receipt a few weeks later. So, you might want to send a quick email asking if they received your sample in a few weeks. Good luck!

And Karin - that's cool! Congrats! That would be an awesome place to write :)

Papercuts

Dec 30, 2010, 10:50 AM

Post #6170 of 6267 (6370 views)
Shortcut

Re: [kbritten] McNeese [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, kbritten!

elissa
Elissa Field

Dec 30, 2010, 9:04 PM

Post #6171 of 6267 (6332 views)
Shortcut

Re: [karinr] I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Karin, getting the novel draft done before starting a program seems like a good idea, if you can do it. At least get all your ideas down as they exist now, in case the intensity of a program might distract your from them. I like the idea of starting a program with some pieces ready as drafts, which might get workshopped. Chances are, you might write work entirely new, instead, but it would be a relief to know you went in with some things under your belt, not a blank slate. Of course, that is a personal vague fear speaking: as an undergrad, I enrolled in a masters level writing class and my mind immediately went blank for the semester, whether deer in the headlights at the thought of needing to perform, or preoccupied with other things. So I always liked the idea of starting a program with a handful of drafts that could get put to work, to give some options.

Congrats on PLU, if I haven't said so already! Do you have to find cash, or loans?

http://elissafield.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/...p?id=100001772022683

karinr
Karin Rosman

Dec 31, 2010, 12:01 PM

Post #6172 of 6267 (6294 views)
Shortcut

Re: [elissa] I got accepted! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've heard that I'll likely write entirely new, but I've been plugging through this novel for a few years now, and have a clear path. But it is the book that convinced me that I needed to go to grad school.

I applied to a scholarship, and have been combing the web for other opportunities. The plan is to apply for federal loans, then use my meager retirement fund if I'm unable to find a job that pays well enough to cover my loan.

sidney99

Jan 3, 2011, 3:02 AM

Post #6173 of 6267 (6188 views)
Shortcut

University of Arkansas [In reply to]	Can't Post

Is it too early to here from U of A? I wonder if they send out rolling acceptances or wait until their postmark deadline (Jan 4). Any info would be appreciated!

kbritten

Jan 3, 2011, 8:51 AM

Post #6174 of 6267 (6179 views)
Shortcut

Re: [sidney99] University of Arkansas [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not to burst your bubble (I'm sure I'm just as anxious as you are!), but I doubt you'll here anything from them until March. At least that's what Driftless House reported. I could be wrong, but that's just how it's been in the past. Good luck!

Pedro Eler

Jan 4, 2011, 9:38 AM

Post #6175 of 6267 (6087 views)
Shortcut

Re: [kbritten] University of Arkansas [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey guys!

Does anyone knows when Cornell normally starts to give out acceptances? I wish it is in February because I just don't know if I'll be able to wait until march... LOL

1 ... 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251

View All

Main Index » Writing and Publishing » MFA Programs